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Linda Flanders, VISTA Member, Hemet, CA: A focus on community collaboration
- Linda Flanders helped develop a project focusing on disaster preparedness as a collaboration between the Cesar E. Chavez Service Clubs and the American Red Cross. The students in the Service Club prepared and delivered disaster bags filled with essential items to survive a natural disaster to local homes. This project has been a wonderful way to kick off the Service Clubs’ school year. The early development of the partnership, organization, and follow through has made a great impact on member excitement, team spirit, and Service Club unity. The collaboration between the Service Clubs, the Red Cross, and community Senior Parks for this worthwhile campaign of delivering disaster preparedness bags to seniors has benefited everyone involved. It has not only translated to a sustainable yearly partnership, but already has a major spin-off event called the SHAKE OUT, which is an earthquake drill.
Adam Stanley, VISTA Member, Bakersfield, CA: A focus on fundraising
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On September 18th, 2008, a State Farm focus group convened with students from the Cesar E. Chavez Service Clubs (8 middle schools and 2 high schools). These students participated in a brainstorming session on how a State Farm grant could be used in the community. After a series of games and activities informing them of high school drop out rates, college attendance rates, salaries and job opportunities in Kern County, the students voted on a service-learning project that could address these issues. The students concluded that the project would have to include: a) a college visit to show college life, b) a demonstration of how jobs can be both fun and help the community in need, c) a career day, and d) a way to understand how a college degree improves one’s financial opportunities. This effort was a great opportunity for the Service Club students to learn about some of the larger issues involved with the Service Clubs and also to gain a perspective on the funding process of these innovative programs. State Farm will make the decision about which grants will progress to the next round in the selection process in December. The State Farm grant is for $100,000 and would start February 2009 and run for one year.
Kim Ramsingh, VISTA Member, Modesto, CA: Care Kits
- On Tuesday, March 31, 2009, also recognized as the Cesar E. Chavez Day of Service, club members from the CECSC of Stanislaus County did a service-learning project inspired by a recent local article addressing homelessness. The goal was to educate middle school students about stereotypes and social perceptions that exist in their local community and how to overlook these perceptions and develop a respect for humanity and life. We organized a clothing drive and created “care” kits for local members of our community that were homeless. In addition, 30 local organizations set up informational booths and we provided free food at the Cesar E. Chavez Park in Modesto. Volunteers also assisted in a beautification project for the park and there was an educational zone where people could learn about Mr. Chavez. This project was a collaborative effort put together by the Cesar E. Chavez Service Clubs, the LRC, City of Modesto Parks and Recreation Department, Stanislaus Office of Education, City of Modesto Firefighters, Anthem Blue Cross, the Patient Advocate and M.E.Ch.A. This was truly a community event. It is our hope to share this story and inspire others to become more civically engaged. To date, our clubs have collected about $7,000 in donated items during the academic year for projects that benefited the needy. Our students have also engaged in over 5,800 community service hours this past year. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to these students and the local organizations that continue the Chavez legacy. As a community, we show that no matter how challenging the situation, together, it can be done. Si Se Puede!
 Laurel Greyson, VISTA Member, Hayward, CA: Cooking for Change
- Students at Winton Middle School in Hayward bustled with energy, exploded with questions and surveyed the surrounding kitchen area as the Cesar E. Chavez afterschool club got started. With the smell of salmon in the air, the "Cooking for Change" day gave the kids a full taste, or smell, of just what it would be like to cook a full salmon dinner. VISTA member Laurel Greyson heads up the days at Winton Middle and brought the day together as a partnership with a local women's shelter. The food is donated from a local source, provided to the shelter, and then prepared and brought back by the students at our clubs. Over twenty kids came together to prepare the meal and learned how to prepare the fish, peel potatoes, and chop onions. Hats off to the kids, Laurel, and the program.
Liz Silver, VISTA Member, Eureka, CA: MLK Day Celebration
On January 19th while most students were enjoying a day off, thirteen students from Zane Junior High School’s Cesar Chavez Leadership club along with other volunteers helped rebuild and improve a park in honor of Dr. Martian Luther King Jr. The new playground is located in the small community of Manila located across the Humboldt Bay from Eureka. Several years ago the town’s only playground was burnt down and thus has been inaccessible to children. On January 19th this all changed. With the help of our Cesar Chavez Club and 360 volunteers, this small community again has a playground.
Students from Zane took on a number of jobs including painting a mural and a swing set, face painting, gardening, and removing briers. Although, students were not aware of or expecting a celebration afterwards, that’s what they got! The thirteen students from Zane were presented with pizza (paid for by the Zane After School Program), photos and certificates thanking them for their service. During the celebration event, students reflected on the work they did, talked about more service they could do at the school and in the community.
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